Top

Seven DECA students earn top honors at annual regional competition held online

February 19, 2021

Seven students from the Community College of Rhode Island’s Collegiate DECA group earned first-place awards in this year's annual Northeast Regional Competition, held virtually at Johnson & Wales University for the first time due to the ongoing pandemic.

Collegiate DECA is a national organization for college students preparing for careers in marketing, management, and entrepreneurship. Founded in 1946, DECA has more than 225,000 members and more than 200 collegiate chapters with a goal of enhancing each student’s college curriculum while providing networking opportunities for club members due to its close ties with the business community. DECA also promotes self-reliance and cooperative leadership in addition to helping students make informed career choices while fostering high ethical standards in business.

The Northeast Regionals allow students to put their classroom experience and knowledge to the test in analyzing real-world scenarios. Case studies are designed to measure a broad range of knowledge, skills, and attitudes identified by business and industry professionals as essential to career success. Overall, eight CCRI students – six of whom had never participated in a DECA competition prior to this year – competed in events in the following industry tracks: Accounting, Entrepreneurship Operations, Sales Manager Meeting, and Restaurant and Food Service Management. The competition included a pre-event online exam followed by a case study in which they presented their findings to judges comprised of various industry professionals via a live online platform.

Medals were awarded for top exam score, top case study, and top overall score, which combines both the exam and the case study. CCRI students earned the following awards:

  • Christine Williams, Providence, RI; First Place Overall (combined exam and case study) and Top Exam Score, Restaurant and Food Service Management
  • Tina Taylor, Warwick, RI; First Place Case Study, Restaurant and Food Service Management
  • Austin O’Meara, Bristol, CT; First Place Overall (combined exam and case study) and Top Exam Score, Sales Management Meeting
  • Andrew Sok, Warwick, RI; Top Exam Score, Entrepreneurship Operations
  • Jose Clase, Providence, RI; First Place Case Study, Entrepreneurship Operations
  • Jennyfer Aquino, Providence, RI; First Place Overall (combined exam and case study), Entrepreneurship Operations
  • Joseph Ozuna, Providence, RI; Fourth Place, Entrepreneurship Operations
  • Leiny Tapia, Middletown, RI; First Place Case Study (tie), Financial Accounting

The top winners in the regional competition have earned the opportunity to compete in the annual DECA International Career Development Conference in April – originally scheduled to be held in Texas, but now presented virtually – where they will have the opportunity to earn DECA awards, medallions, and scholarships.

“The pandemic has changed our normal daily lives, but our students really embraced this new virtual competition platform,” said CCRI Business Administration Professor and Collegiate DECA Advisor Joanne Orabone. “During the entire week leading up to the event, they met virtually with me on a nightly basis to practice analyzing and presenting case studies. Their hard work and dedication paid off. Collegiate DECA continues to help change students’ lives and helps them achieve their dreams.”

Share this story

Latest News

CCRI Launches Free Ophthalmic Technician Training Program

CCRI Launches Free Ophthalmic Technician Training Program

April 23, 2025

Warwick, R.I. – The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) is proud to announce the launch of a new Ophthalmic Technician training program through its Division of Workforce Partnerships. This 120-hour program, beginning in May 2025, is free of charge and designed to prepare participants for immediate employment in a fast-growing healthcare field.

Read More

CCRI Foundation Elects Four New Members to its Board of Trustees

CCRI Foundation Elects Four New Members to its Board of Trustees

April 23, 2025

The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) Foundation has appointed four new members to its Board of Trustees. We are honored to welcome these four distinguished leaders to the CCRI Foundation,” said Rosemary Costigan, Ph.D, RN, Interim President of CCRI. “Their diverse backgrounds, deep ties to the community, and shared dedication will support us in advancing the college’s mission of access, equity and opportunity.

Read More

CCRI and Rhode Island Energy partner to launch free utilities career exploration program

CCRI and Rhode Island Energy partner to launch free utilities career exploration program

April 17, 2025

The Community College of Rhode Island and Rhode Island Energy are teaming up to offer a free exploratory program designed to give participants a window into the growing utilities industry.

Introduction to Utilities – free to anyone who meets eligibility requirements through funding from Rhode Island Energy – is a seven-hour introductory course that provides participants with foundational skills and knowledge to explore career pathways within the utilities sector, specifically with Rhode Island Energy.

Read More

Four CCRI Faculty Honored with NISOD Awards of Excellence

Four CCRI Faculty Honored with NISOD Awards of Excellence

April 10, 2025

Warwick, RI – The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) proudly announces that four distinguished faculty members have been recognized with the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) Excellence Awards. The recipients, honored for their exceptional dedication to student success and academic excellence

Read More

CCRI Achieves Gold Status as Military Friendly® School

CCRI Achieves Gold Status as Military Friendly® School

April 10, 2025

Warwick, RI – The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) is proud to announce that it has been designated a Military Friendly® School for the fourth consecutive year, achieving Gold status for the first time during the 2025–2026 academic year. This prestigious recognition underscores CCRI's unwavering commitment to supporting military service members, veterans, and their families.​

Read More

CCRI Celebrates First Cohort of MC3 Graduates, Expands Apprenticeship Readiness Program to Providence and Newport Campuses

CCRI Celebrates First Cohort of MC3 Graduates, Expands Apprenticeship Readiness Program to Providence and Newport Campuses

April 08, 2025

WARWICK, RI – The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) proudly celebrates the graduation of its first cohort of the Multi-Craft Core Curriculum (MC3) Apprenticeship Readiness Program, marking a significant milestone in the college’s commitment to expanding career pathways in the skilled trades. The graduation ceremony took place on Thursday, April 3, at 3:30 p.m. at CCRI’s Warwick Campus.

Read More

CCRI Dental Hygiene Clinic to Host Free Sealant and Fluoride Community Day for Children & Teens

CCRI Dental Hygiene Clinic to Host Free Sealant and Fluoride Community Day for Children & Teens

March 31, 2025

The CCRI Dental Hygiene Clinic’s upcoming Sealant and Fluoride Community Day on Friday, April 25, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the Lincoln Campus will provide free dental sealants and fluoride treatments for children and teens ages 6 to 17. The event will be led by CCRI’s dental hygiene students, who will provide preventative care under the supervision of licensed professionals.

Read More

Lucas Johnson Named Rhode Island's 2025 New Century Transfer Scholar

Lucas Johnson Named Rhode Island's 2025 New Century Transfer Scholar

March 17, 2025

Warwick, RI- Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) student and Warwick resident, Lucas Johnson, has been named a 2025 New Century Transfer Scholar and will receive a $2,250 scholarship.

Read More

Governor McKee, CCRI Announces Launch of Associate Degree in Culinary Craftsmanship

Governor McKee, CCRI Announces Launch of Associate Degree in Culinary Craftsmanship

March 07, 2025

NEWPORT, RI – Governor Dan McKee and the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) today announced the launch of an associate in arts degree in Culinary Craftsmanship on CCRI’s Newport Campus in fall 2025. To support this initiative, Governor McKee is proposing $850,000 to create a Culinary and Hospitality hub at CCRI’s Newport Campus. The hub will serve as a state-of-the-art learning environment designed to meet the growing demand for skilled culinary professionals in Rhode Island’s workforce.

Read More

CCRI Metallica Scholars: Forging Paths to Success in Healthcare

CCRI Metallica Scholars: Forging Paths to Success in Healthcare

March 05, 2025

For students like Esther Duran, of Providence, Wanda Wrobleski, of Cumberland, and Richard Garcia, of Providence, the journey to a fulfilling career in healthcare has been transformed thanks to the Community College of Rhode Island and the Metallica Scholars Initiative (MSI). Funded by a $75,000 grant from the legendary rock band’s foundation, All Within My Hands, this initiative provides financial support to students enrolled in CCRI’s Medical Assistant and Patient Support Specialist workforce training programs—helping to alleviate financial burdens and empower students to focus on their education and career goals.

Read More

CCRI Women's Basketball Team Punches Ticket to National Tournament

CCRI Women's Basketball Team Punches Ticket to National Tournament

March 05, 2025

Warwick, RI- The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) Women’s Basketball teamshowcased their dominance once again in the NJCAA Region XXI Conference, securing the regional title for the fourth year in a row and, punching their ticket to the National Tournament.

Read More

CCRI Players Present Stephen Sondheim's Assassins

CCRI Players Present Stephen Sondheim's Assassins

March 04, 2025

WARWICK, RI – The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) Players continue their 2024–25 season with a bold and thought-provoking production of Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman’s Assassins, running March 6–9 at the Bobby Hackett Theatre on CCRI's Knight Campus.

Read More

CCRI Players Celebrate 50 Years of Excellence

CCRI Players Celebrate 50 Years of Excellence

February 14, 2025

The Community College of Rhode Island's (CCRI) student-run theatre group, the CCRI Players, proudly marks half a century of participation in the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF) Region 1, held this year at Central Connecticut State University. Over the five-day event, the Players distinguished themselves by securing 10 awards across various disciplines, including acting and properties design.

Read More

Black History Month

Black History Month

February 10, 2025

February marks  Black History Month, a time to celebrate the contributions of Black Americans in this country; a time to acknowledge the lasting achievements of the people of the African diaspora who have shaped American history; and a time to walk alongside today’s Black leaders as they lead the work to create a truly anti-racist, inclusive community for all.

Read More

Fall 2024 Dean's List

Fall 2024 Dean's List

January 08, 2025

The Community College of Rhode Island announces its Fall 2024 Dean's List. Students enrolled in a degree program who have completed 12 credits with a grade point average of 3.25 or higher this semester with no grade lower than “C” are eligible for this scholastic honor.

Read More

Upcoming Events
Jan.
1

English Language Studies (ELS) - Ongoing

January 1, 2025 All Day

Jan.
1

Driver Ed for Teens - Ongoing

January 1, 2025 All Day

Jan.
1

Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR Courses - Ongoing

January 1, 2025 All Day

Jan.
1

Maritime Electric Boat Programs - Ongoing

January 1, 2025 All Day

Westerly Education Center (WEC)

Jan.
1

Fast Track to CNC Manufacturing - Ongoing

January 1, 2025 All Day

Liston Campus

Jan.
1

Teacher Assistant - Ongoing

January 1, 2025 All Day

Jan.
1

Motorcycle Rider Education - Ongoing Seasonal

January 1, 2025 All Day

Jan.
1

Para-Pro Review Classes and Testing - Ongoing

January 1, 2025 All Day

Jan.
1

Bridge Program - Ongoing

January 1, 2025 All Day

Liston Campus

Jan.
1

Global Wind Organization - Basic Safety Training - Ongoing

January 1, 2025 All Day

Flanagan Campus